Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
This wise saying presents a conundrum. On one hand, it implies lots of effort, hard work and dedication. On the other, we have natural phenomena like electricity and water that both follow the path of least resistance. Separately, of course, but the easiest path nonetheless.
And then, the third hurdle: 'easy' is relative. For instance, if you speak Spanish, the best medical programs abroad in Spanish-speaking countries easier for you to get into. The 'easy' qualifier could mean anything, from easy-to-afford to easy-to-complete. This article looks at medical study programs through various 'easy' lenses, to help you choose the right 'easy' for your needs.
| Country | Program duration | Tuition | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poland | MBBA: 6 years Graduate entry: 4 years | A$2 700-6 000/year (€7 500-16 100) | high school certificate with sciences entrance examination interview |
| Germany | MBBS: 6 years | average A$300/semester administrative fees A$670-1 650/month (€400 €1,000) for private universities | high school certificate successful entrance exam German language skills |
| Belgium | MBBS: 8 years (6 studies, 2 clinical) +3 to 6 years to specialise | A$1 500-10 000/year (€940-6,000) | high school certificate passing Belgium entrance exam English language proficiency certificate |
| China | MBBS: 6 years Vocational medical: 3/2 undergrad/residency | A$6 500 - 9 500/year (CNY30 000-40 000) | High school sciences (min 60%) |
| Argentina | MBBS: 6 years | no cost (public universities) A$5 000 - $15 000/year (private schools) | high school certificate |
| Belize | MBBS: 5 years | A$5 000 per three-month term. | A Bachelor's degree equivalent 4-year higher education |
| Ireland | 4 years (graduate entry) | up to A$88 500,00/entire course | High school certificate showing 2 sciences Successful Health Professions Admissions Test (HPAT-Ireland) |
| Sweden | 5.5 years | A$141 621,00/year | Bachelor's Degree from internationally recognised uni |
| India | 4.5 years of classroom study 1 year of internship | A$130 to A$915/year (₹7,000 to ₹50,000) | high school, with minimum 50% in Biology, Chemistry, Physics Successful National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET). |
| Italy | MBBS: 5 years | A$ 5 300/year (€3 200.00) | International Medical Admission Test (IMAT) |
| Romania | MBBS: 6 years | A$7 000/year (€5 000.00) | High School, science and maths background |
💰Easy on the Wallet Medical Doctor Degree Programs
Higher education is expensive no matter what you intend to major in. But studying medicine poses a particular challenge because the courses involve both academic and clinical studies.
You must pay for textbooks and other study materials, along with lab and other equipment. You could hardly go on hospital rounds without a lab coat or stethoscope, after all.
Besides course tuition and other fees, you have to factor in living expenses. The cost of living varies across countries, something you must think about if you want to study medicine overseas as an Australian. In this category, Poland ranks high on the list.
The average tuition for Polish university medical programs is around A$2000/year. Also, despite being a European Union (EU) member, Poland uses its own currency, the Zloty. As I write this, the Zloty trades at just over PLN2.6 to A$1.
📆Program Length
- MBBA: 6 years
- Graduate entry: 4 years
💰Average Tuition
- A$2 700-6 000/year (€7 500-16 100)
💲Cost of Living
- Small cities: A$120-300/month (PLN 300-500)
- Big cities: A$300-350/month (PLN 500-800)
💡Entry requirements
- high school certificate with sciences
- entrance examination
- interview
Medical Training in Germany
Poland's medical schools welcome thousands of international students each year but Germany's universities are far more selective. Candidates must first sit that country's Test for Medical Studies, an exam like our Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT).
Admittedly, Germany is not among the easiest medical schools to get into in the world. Still, if you score well on the exam and pass further assessments, you may study medicine at no charge. But the cost of living in Germany won't be easy on your wallet.
📆Program Length
- MBBS: 6 years
💰Average Tuition
- average A$300/semester administrative fees
- range of A$670-1 650 (€400 €1,000/month) for private universities
💲Cost of Living
- A$1 300-1 600/month (€850-€1,000/month)
💡Entry requirements
- high school certificate
- successful entrance exam
- German language skills
Study Medicine in Belgium
Belgium vies for the 'easiest country to become a doctor' title, if only because Belgian universities shave a year off of their program. This is a diverse country with an international presence; you'd fit in well with all the international students this country hosts.
How much medical studies cost depends on what part of the country your university is in. Expect higher tuition costs and living expenses in Brussels or Leuven than anywhere in Flanders.
📆Program Length
- MBBS: 8 years (6 studies, 2 clinical)
- +3 to 6 years to specialise
💰Average Tuition
- ranges between A$1 500-10 000/year (€940-6,000), depending on region and type of school (public or private)
- scholarships and assistance available
💲Cost of Living
- A$1 500-2 300/month (€873-€1,370/month)
💡Entry requirements
- high school certificate
- passing Belgium entrance exam
- English language proficiency certificate
Medical Programs in China
This country welcomes international students of all disciplines, including its medical study programs. Peking and Jiao Tong Universities are world-renowned research centres; it doesn't cost a lot to attend classes at either school. The cost of living in China is fairly low too; you might get by on just a few thousand dollars a year.
📆Program Length
- MBBS: 6 years
- Vocational medical: 3/2 undergrad/residency
- includes language training (for clinical phase)
💰Average Tuition
- A$6 500 - 9 500/year (CNY30 000-40 000)
💲Cost of Living
- between A$500 - 900/month, depending on the city.
💡Entry requirements
- High school sciences (min 60%)
📃Easiest Medical Schools to Get Into in the World
Argentina also enjoys a low cost of living and offers low-cost medical degree programs. These programs are very easy to get into; you only need a high school diploma to qualify.
However, you must speak Spanish fluently. All the medical program courses are taught in that language.
Most universities around the world require at least a Medical Colleges Admission Test (MCAT). Since 2010, more schools also require medical school applicants to submit a Computer-based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics (CASPer) test result.
Argentinian medical study programs are uniquely easy because they do not set any prerequisites.
📆Program Length
- MBBS: 6 years
💰Average Tuition
- A$5 000 - $15 000/year (private schools)
- no cost (public universities)
💲Cost of Living
- A$300 affords you a comfortable life
💡Entry requirements
- high school certificate
Study Medicine in Belize
You can bypass entrance exam requirements by making this country your destination for medical studies. These universities don't require MCAT or CASPer results; only an application.
📆Program Length
- MBBS: 5 years
💰Average Tuition
- A$5 000 per three-month term.
💲Cost of Living
- live comfortably on A$3 000/month
💡Entry requirements
- A Bachelor's degree
- equivalent 4-year higher education
Consider Ireland's Medical Programs
Like Belize universities, this country's six medical schools have minimal conditions for enrolment. You must speak English, of course, and you should have a satisfactory school-leaving certificate. Medical schools in Ireland also accept International Baccalaureate results, especially if you tested in Chemistry, Biology and other such subjects.
Note that Irish universities give preference to domestic medical school applicants. Should you be accepted into an Irish university Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program, tuition will be steep. All estimates point to a minimum price tag of for the whole course. That doesn't include study materials or living expenses.
📆Program Length
- 4 years (with Bachelor's degree)
- 9-10 years from high school
💰Average Tuition
- up to A$88 500,00/entire course
💲Cost of Living
- A$2 000 to get by in major cities
- A$1 600 outside of big cities
💡Entry requirements
- High school certificate showing 2 sciences
- pass the Health Professions Admissions Test (HPAT-Ireland)
- Other requirements (check uni website)
Medical Studies Programs Sweden
This country puts almost all of these medical programs to shame. If you passed high school chemistry, biology, physics and maths, you're welcome to apply.
You may get a waiver on having to know the Swedish language because you are a native English speaker. It will take you less than six years to earn your MBBS and you might save a lot of money, too.
📆Program Length
- 5.5 years
- Longer to specialise
💰Average Tuition
- A$141 621,00/year
- Average varies depending on school and scholarship awards
💲Cost of Living
- A$2 000 will make ends meet
- Big cities are more expensive
💡Entry requirements
- Bachelor's Degree from internationally recognised uni
- speak English
⏱Country With the Shortest Time to Become a Doctor
In this 'easy' category, India takes the prize. In this country, undergraduate medical programs may only last four and a half years.
That's one of the shortest MBBS programs on the planet. Admission into such a program is easy, too, particularly if you enrol in a public university.
India has four types of universities, each of which has its own framework and guidelines. When exploring your study options in India, be sure to look for short-duration study programs.
The cost of living in India and the exchange rate is favourable so you'll likely pay far less than in most countries. Also, English is one of India's official languages and Indian universities teach all their medical courses in English.
📆Program Length
- 4.5 years of classroom study
- 1 year of internship
💰Average Tuition
- tuition range: A$130 to A$915/year (₹7,000 to ₹50,000)
- private unis more expensive, yearly up to A$36 550
💲Cost of Living
- live well on A$500/month
- A$700 in major cities
💡Entry requirements
- high school, with minimum 50% in Biology, Chemistry, Physics
- Must pass the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET).
Medical Courses in Italy
Italy's MBBS study program takes six years to complete but tuition can be quite low, depending on your selected university. Some schools have initiatives to lower tuition for qualifying students, too.
The cost of living is lower in Italy than in Western Europe, particularly in southern Italy. Many Italian universities offer medical courses in English.
📆Program Length
- MBBS: 5 years
💰Average Tuition
- A$ 5 300/year (€3 200.00)
- tuition range: €2 100 - 20 000/year
💲Cost of Living
- A$ 2 000/month is more than enough
- southern regions are less expensive
💡Entry requirements
- International Medical Admission Test (IMAT)
😌The Easiest Country to Become a Doctor
You might have noticed that neither the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), nor Canada features on any of our 'easy' lists. Yet, these countries have highly sought-after medical study programs.
However, neither country qualifies for any definition of 'easy'. In the US, entry requirements - to the country and the schools, are expensive and onerous. The medical programs are convoluted and take a long time to complete.
Canada, the UK, and their schools are slightly easier to get into but almost as expensive. Also, the cost of living in these countries is very high. These three countries' main advantage is language. As a native English speaker, you'll fit right in.
All other factors (tuition, cost of living, ease of access) being equal, we choose Canada because it rates as one of the safest countries in the world.
Studying Medicine in Romania.
Romanian medical schools cover everything all the other countries' 'easy' medicine courses do. Romania's nine medical schools all have study programs in English. They demand neither MCAT nor IMAT to qualify for entry. But once finished, you will have to sit the International Medical Graduate exam to practise medicine in Australia.
📆Program Length
- MBBS: 6 years
- 3 years pre-clinical; 3 years clinical
💰Average Tuition
- A$7 000/year (€5 000.00)
- as low as as €3 000/year (outside of Bucharest)
💲Cost of Living
- live comfortably on A$400 a month
💡Entry requirements
- High School, science and maths background
Now, knowing all this, is it a good idea to study medicine abroad? Like every other proposition, the idea has its pluses and minuses.
Experiencing historic Romania or Belgium is tantalising, but could you deal with the culture shock? Before submitting your medical school application and visa paperwork, you should take an objective look at the pros and cons of international study.
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
It’s not at all easy to get into public universities in India and the study is probably most thorough and hardest in the entire world hencewhy doctors who have studied at public colleges like AIIMS are incomparably the best ! The private colleges are easier to get into if you have money .
Sorry I really appreciate this article but had to mention how hard it is get into public medical college in India cause I have gone through the process . It is super super competitive , but so much worth it if you can get into it . Indian public medical colleges are the best than literally anywhere else in the world but super hard to get through and study there.
Facts…with the reservation thing also in India it is also even more tougher for general category aspirants…to get into a government medical college(esp for clinical subjects) would be a proud and worthy achievement
Good evening Emily
Thank you so Much for your information on MBBS Education in Romania
I have a son that is interested in Studying in Romania
Please could you try and send to me the details
Thank you
I need help applying to Swedish medical schools in English
Hello Sebastian, we recommend looking for an English tutor on Superprof, if you have any trouble finding one, we invite you to send your questions to our customer care team at the email gday@superprof.com. Have a lovely day.
very knowledgeable, thank you.
hello we need accurate info about Swedish medical school MBBS undergraduate bachelor of medicine in English, taught medical school and when s the deadline and name of medical universities which offer english program bachelor of medicine. If there is in Belgium, also, plz email me
Guide for abroad MBBS
specialist medicine
I would like to study in one of the universities in India
Good
Which university in India can I study medicine and what are the requirements if studied nursing program in Botswana and completed a diploma?
Thanks for getting knowledge.